what we almost were (ON HOLD)

8.

Leo's POV

I LOOKED AT her, at a loss for words. She seemed to be the only person I know with no problems at all.

Guess the happiest people can sometimes be the loneliest inside.

"Please don't say anything like, 'I'm sorry' " she laughed as I didn't speak. "Leo?"

"Y-yeah? I really don't know what to say. I-I mean, I never thought—" I began to ramble.

"I get that a lot," she smiled, "and I just say happy people can be sad too. But you know what?" she stared into my eyes. "Sad people can also be happy," then she look away. "If you get what I mean."

"I do, but Chloe," I paused, not sure whether this might offen her, "how can you still be smiling right now? You even laughed."

Chloe smiled once more and even chuckled, "Leo, you're asking the wrong question. Why won't I be smiling? I mean, you're here with me now, aren't you? My brother brought me to the hospital. I have caring friends and a caring brother. Isn't that enough to be happy?"

"You're so optimistic even after everything, Chloe. And uh, I-I admire you for that. You're really brave." I said awkwardly, scratching the back of my neck, "So I was wondering—"

*knock

"Hey, Chloe? Oh, hey Leo."

We both turn our heads to where the familiar voice came from.

"Hey, Ty." Chloe waved, smiling. "get your ass over here!" Tyrone jumped onto the couch and placed his hands behind his head, "Everything seems, hmm...good."

Eyeing me and Chloe, Tyrone winked at me to which I completely cringed to. "I totally approve. Just don't break her heart, dude."

"Ty!" Chloe threw a pillow against him. "Shut up, I totally ship you and Leah too." This time it was Tyrone who turned red while I chuckled at their argument. "Well, I guess this is my cue to leave?"

"Stay," Chloe linked her arm with mine, "You smell good." My eyes widened in confusion. "What cologne do you use? You should refer that to Tyrone—his stinks."

I burst out into fits of laughter before Tyrone aimed to throw a pillow at Chloe. I block it with my free hand, "Don't worry. I'll protect her." and winked back at Tyrone.

Chloe sat in the middle all red. I'd never forget this day. Although Tyrone and I never really talk at school, I admit I didn't feel left out. Light and cheerful aura eminated fron both he and Chloe.

Tyrone soon had to go home for dinner as I sat across from Chloe, eating Chinese take-outs. I noticed Chloe had became restless as she kept on glancing at me. "See what you like?", I smirked, althought I knew this was not a smirking matter. (See what I did there...again?)

"Don't you wanna know?" she spoke softly, "You didn't push the topic any further. Aren't you dying to know? Aren't you dying to know why I had tried to kill myself?"

Well, that was sudden. "Of course I am but I know my boundaries. I know when not to go to far. And I don't think it'd be a good idea to push someone into talking about something so personal and senstive if she isn't ready yet. Are you okay, Chloe?"

"You know," she said looking down at her noodles, "you and Ty seem like the only one who really cares for me. At home it's always chaos. Chloe, why are you so stupid? Chloe, why can't you be more like your brother? Why can't you make us proud? Chloe, it's your fault that your little sister died. Chloe...Chloe..Chloe..." she burst out sobbing.

I went over to her side and pulled her into an embrace. "I'm here, Chloe. Just let it all out. Tell me more."

She pulled away as she wiped off her tears, "Cass...Cassie...she died because of me." she trembled, putting her hands on top of her frail shoulders, "I-I killed her."

"Chloe? Chloe, none of it is your fault. What happened to your sister?" I was getting a bit scared for Chloe.

"I...If only I hadn't left...if only I hadn't she would've been still alive and we would be together..and...and we would...we.." she trembled as more tears flew freely down her cheek. "It was my fault. It's all my fault. I deserve to die. Leo, I don't deserve to live."

I put both of my hands firmly on top of her shoulders as I glared into her eyes. "Chloe Meyers, it's not. your. fault."

"Y-yes it was. If I hadn't left her alone in the clinic and went with Mom to buy groceries, she wouldn't have overdosed herself with candy-like supplementaries." I pulled her into an embrace once more as I stroke her hair. Her wet tears stained my hoodie as my lips stained her forehead. "It's not your fault, Chloe. I 100% believe in you. It was an accident and you didn't mean for it to happen. From my perspective, no one is to blame. No one knew what would happen, no one could predict the future. Chloe, it was an accident. An accident."

"Leo, I think I'm liking you." she snuggled closer, "A lot."

"The feeling is mutual, princess. Get some rest."